Imagine living in the 1940s. Your newly-wed husband has just been deployed to fight in the Second World War. It is an agonizing time, not knowing if or when he is coming back. Then the War finally ends in victory, and your husband returns unscathed. You both plan on living out the rest of your days in peace. Fast forward sixty plus years. Eventually the inevitable came, and your husband passes away. It is a great time of sorrow, made worse by the fact that now you can't take care of yourself like you used to. You are now in your 80s, and having a hard time doing the things that most people take for granted. So the decision is finally made that you need to move into an independent living community. This is the story of Gladys Baker. Gladys moved into an independent community in 2010. The community gave her information about the Aid & Attendance program offered by the Veteran's Administration. She learned that this program can help provide financial assistance if you are spending more than your monthly income on care. This no doubt sounded appealing, as the rent at the independent living and her other medical expenses were becoming a burden on her finances. This same facility told her about Veteran Support Center, a non-profit group that would help her file a claim. She called VSC and found that not only would they submit the claim on her behalf, but they would also help with any post-application correspondence, and make sure she was qualified when they sent the application. They also have a 99.9% approval rating, and in the event of a denial, they will help contest that decision. She decided to work with VSC. The documents were located, the papers were signed, and the claim was prepared and sent. All that was left to do was to wait for VA to make their decision. Then, 8 months later, Gladys received a letter that said her claim had been denied! Why? Revisions to VA requirements regarding independent communities happened during the time the claim was submitted. Based on this, the VA would not reimburse or consider her claim.

Gladys at the resting place of her husband at the Great Lakes National Cemetery.

So what happened? Veteran Support Center fought to convince the VA that Gladys indeed was qualified for this benefit. Even though it was difficult, our accredited agents fought for 2 ½ years to get Gladys the benefit. During this turbulent time, they were there for her, helping her fill out the forms, answer VA correspondence, and one of staff even personally helped her move. Finally, in 2013, the VA approved her claim. Because the VA pays retroactively, she received a large lump sum of the withheld benefit for all the years of waiting. This was a tremendous help for her. Gladys continues to enjoy the benefits of her husband's service to our country. It serves as as a memory of him, as well as a way that we as a people can give back to our veterans and their surviving spouses.

*****

If you know someone who could benefit from the Aid & Attendance program, give us a call. We do not charge for our services and provide a total solution program to apply for the benefit. All of our claims are processed right here in Michigan at our Sterling Heights office.

These are important questions to ask when considering this type of VA benefit. As the name implies, the “Aid & Attendance” benefit is for veterans and/or their spouses who require the regular aid & attendance of another person.

If a claimant does not currently pay or need help with typical daily activities such as those listed below, they may not be ready for this benefit.

FOR INDEPENDENT COMMUNITIES For non-licenced, independent communities, the VA wants to see that a claimant requires at least two help needs on a regular basis (known as activities of daily living, or ADLs):

feeding

bathing

dressing

toileting

transferring

prompting

sitting and standing

showers/bathing

personal hygiene

med management

Recently the VA decided not to consider med management as a “stand-alone” ADL, meaning you cannot have only a med management need. You also cannot have just one ADL and med management.FURNISHING EVIDENCESo how do we show these needs to the VA? The veteran or veteran's family does not determine need. This is accomplished by having the veteran's doctor prescribe Aid & Attendance. This way the VA has written proof that the Veteran or spouse needs assistance.There are other qualifications that must be met. But these conditions form one of the core elements of a ready-to-rate claim.Call our office today to see if you or someone you know meets the additional qualifications. All of our claims are processed right here in Michigan in our Sterling Heights office.